James Anderson is the latest England cricketer to open up about the Ashes drink Controversy following the final Test against Australia at The Oval like captain Ben Stokes, he dismissed claims of England ignoring the Australian team and explained that a joint drinking session could not take place because of time constraints. After Australia lost The Oval Test by 49 runs, some sections of the Australian media alleged that England locked their dressing room and did not have a traditional drink after the Ashes with their rivals.
According to some reports, the Australian players kept knocking on the door but did not get any response. In his column for the Telegraph, Anderson reported that England players had also been keen to have a drink with the Australians, but this could not happen.
There were a few farewells at the Oval, besides Stuart. Moeen Ali was retiring too and our physio, Steve Griffin, is moving on because he has been promoted. So there were a few presentations and we all said a few words about the summer which is why we missed having a drink with the Aussies. It was just unfortunate timing. When we had finished, they had left,” Anderson wrote.
“We were disappointed too, because we were looking forward to having a drink with them. It was not a snub or anything like that. We saw a few in the nightclub later and caught up then,” the England legend went on to add.
James Anderson said – "Stuart Broad leaves a big hole for me. When we started playing together we complemented each other and understood the other's game. As years have gone on, we have bought into our respective games. I have been his coach & he has been my coach". (Telegraph) pic.twitter.com/UFuF0FwfNG
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) August 3, 2023
Following the Jonny Bairstow stumping controversy at Lord’s, England Test coach Brendon McCullum commented that he would not be drinking beer with Australian players any time soon.
Also Read: James Anderson Reveals Stuart Broad Already Thought About Leaving
I Will Keep Training and Ticking Over in The Gym – Anderson on Test Future
While long-time pace bowling partner Stuart Broad has retired after an impressive Ashes 2023 campaign, James Anderson’s future has come under question. Although the letter series did not go to well, he has made it clear that he has no plans for retirement just yet.
James Anderson wrote:
“For me, I just want to take a couple of months off now. I will keep training and ticking over in the gym but bowling can take a back seat for a bit. I just need to get away from it. It feels like it has been a constant conveyor belt of bowling the last few weeks so some time away from it and then see where I am at in a couple of months’ time.
“Then I will think about the New Year and whatever might happen. The chats I have had with England, I have said I have not contributed the way I wanted to in this series on the field but I feel like I have a lot to offer the team going to somewhere like India in the New Year,” the 41-year concluded.
England’s next Test assignment will be a grueling five-match series in India from January to March 2024.
